Artists Retreat at the Royal Plaza on Scott's
Many artists get frustrated trying to serve in their churches.
Our ideas and personalities are too "out there" to be acceptable to nice conservative church folks. My experience this year with the Good Friday production at Grace Assembly of God in Singapore has given me hope that we can learn to work together with our churches in worship and proclaiming the news of our Savior. It wasn't a perfect ride, but we have all learned from one another. My "push the envelope" personality is learning to be more respectful and appreciate the comfort and stability of tradition, while my more pragmatic brothers and sisters are growing in respect for my prophetic voice and fresh ideas for presenting Truth. It is taking time, and tact to build the trust between us.
If you are an artist and feeling like an odd-ball in your church, don't give up! God made you the way you are and the church needs your special uniqueness! Keep learning and growing both spiritually and artistically. Keep praying for God to open the doors for ministry and guide you to what He has planned for you. Even when it doesn't feel like it, He IS faithful and is working things out for your good, even if you are feeling shut out or shut down. If you are carrying a yoke of bitterness and resentment from feeling un-appreciated or abused, give that back to Jesus. Forgive them, they didn't understand what they were doing. Get rid of that burden and travel light! Let Jesus teach you graciousness, strength and candid honesty for the next time you want to use your art in church. There is hope for change. I've seen it this Easter.
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